SS Cuba
Passenger And Cargo Steamship · United States · Lost 1923 · The Channel Islands
A Pacific Mail liner carrying silver and passengers ran onto San Miguel Island's reefs in thick fog in 1923.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built in Hamburg in 1897 and later rebuilt as an American liner, the Cuba served Pacific Mail Steamship Company routes between San Francisco and Central America. On September 8, 1923, fog obscured the Santa Barbara Channel as she approached San Miguel Island, and she stranded on the reefs off Point Bennett. Passengers and crew were evacuated safely, but the ship broke up on the rocks. NOAA has since studied the site as part of its Channel Islands sanctuary research.
Vessel
- 1897
- Blohm & Voss
- Hamburg, Germany
- Steel
- 307.7 ft
- 42.2 ft
- 3168.8
- Steam, single screw
- Pacific Mail Steamship Company
Loss
- September 8, 1923
- Grounding
- Point Bennett, San Miguel Island, California
- Santa Barbara Channel, Pacific Ocean
- San Francisco, California → Cristóbal, Panama Canal Zone
- Passengers, mail, silver bullion
- Not established
- Most aboard were rescued; the vessel itself became a total loss.
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 20 ft
- Broken and scattered on the reef
- Not established
- Not established
- Within Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Position
- 34.02° N 120.45° W
- Approximate position
- San Miguel Island, California
Position approximated to Point Bennett reef area from NOAA site assessment.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (82/100)
Loss date, cause, location, and vessel history.
Dimensions, tonnage, depth, and cargo detail.
